Kara Lincou—niece of former World No.1 Thierry Lincou—will feature in the U23 World Championships in Karachi, Pakistan. She has represented Trinity College, USA in the College Squash Association (CSA) National Team Championship and has a career-high ranking of World No.139.

Lincou will be representing France in the first ever edition of the U23 World Championships in April.

“It makes me really happy to represent France. I didn’t have many opportunities to represent France as a junior. It’s truly an honour,” Lincou said.

“This year, we’re coming off a great victory with the University Team at the World Championships. Even though I finished 5th in the individual event—I lost in the quarterfinals to Martha Dominguez, who won the competition—we won for France in the team event, and that was incredible. It was a mixed format, two boys and two girls. I played in the last position, in a game to 7 points. The pressure was huge, and I won. It was really amazing!

“Even though this is an individual competition, I’m excited to feel the joy of wearing the French team jersey again.”

Lincou has plenty of support and role models in her family when it comes to her ambitions in squash. This includes her uncle Thierry who was the first continental European to top the men’s world rankings.

“My uncle has always been my first idol, my first role model. And he’s so close to me that it makes this whole experience feel more real. It makes my goals seem more attainable because someone in my family has already done it. He’s accomplished all this, so I tell myself it’s possible. He gives me hope—he came from an island where there wasn’t even a squash court. And yet, he made it. He’s a true example for me.

“And then, my father—I owe him all my success in squash. From the very beginning, he has always given me all his time, and objectively speaking, he’s an exceptional coach. I’m very grateful.

“At the moment, he follows me from a distance, but I update him on all my results, he watches my matches on live streaming, and he gives me feedback on what I should work on.”

Lincou has been heavily involved in the CSA in America with Trinity. The women’s team at Trinity recently defeated Harvard in the 2025 CSA National Championship. Lincou won the final round match 3-0 (12-10, 11-7, 11-8).

“It was a very special and meaningful win that meant the world to us, especially with five seniors on the team playing their last college match,” Lincou said.

“Stepping onto the court at 4-4 to play the deciding match, I had to stay as calm as possible until the very last point, even with everyone chanting my name behind the court!

“This is a huge confidence boost for the U23 World Championship. These moments are unforgettable, and now I’m soaking it all in, replaying the videos and photos of everyone celebrating our victory over Harvard.”

Lincou is looking forward to playing more PSA events in the future to gain more ranking points and join the best squash has to offer on the world stage.

“My goal is to break into the top 100 as quickly as possible. That’s been a bit tricky because, as you know, I can’t be fully committed to the PSA Tour since I’m playing college squash at Trinity. I still have one year left.

“I try to play as many PSA events as I can to climb the rankings and maintain my points. I think I have the potential to be in the top 100—I’ve played matches where I’ve proven that I’m capable.

“I have one year left in college squash, so I’ll try to get as close to the top 100 as possible. If I can make it, the next step the following year would be top 70, then top 50.”

The winners of the U23 World Championships in Pakistan automatically qualify for the World Championships which will take place in Chicago later in the year.

“This will be my first trip to Pakistan. I’m really excited. I have one of my teammates at Trinity who is from Pakistan. I needed to book my flight, so I asked her which airline to take because I had no idea as I’ve never been. I’m happy, I’m excited, and I’m very proud to represent France.”

“It’s obviously an exceptional opportunity,” Lincou said regarding the automatic qualification for the U23s winners.

“I was planning to give it my all to go as far as possible in this competition, but now that I know there’s this additional opportunity, I’m even more motivated! I was delighted to see this news in the email after confirming my participation.”

The U23s World Championships boasts a list of fantastic talent and Kara is looking forward to performing at the top level. She knows she will have to use her strengths to see her through the competition.

“My father often says my greatest strength is my adaptability—that I can switch from one playing style to another, adjust my strategy, and read my opponent’s game to adapt.

“Then, of course, my mentality. This year, I won several decisive matches in College Squash, as well as at the World University Championships.

“I work hard at university, adding extra physical training sessions on top of the team’s training. I have strong determination and a solid work ethic, and I do my own fitness sessions. This gives me the mental strength to know that I’ve put in the work and that I can rely on my physical condition when I need to.”

The U23 World Championships take place in Karachi, Pakistan from 6-10 April.

Find out more about squash in Pakistan at pakistansquash.org.

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